NCTE Statement on the President's Remarks
Washington, DC – During his official address to the nation on Afghanistan, the President declared, “…there is no room for prejudice, no place for bigotry and no tolerance for hate.” While the sentiment is true, the President seems to forget his most recent forays into this area reflect an altogether different approach. National Center for Transgender Equality Executive Director Mara Keisling offers the following statement:
“The president’s remarks on racism and bigotry within the military were misplaced and not believable—especially only a month after he unilaterally and without expertise or consultation attack transgender troops. The U.S. military has always been a leader in advancing acceptance, integration and equality, yet it is the President called in July for the persecution and purging of transgender troops. And while the nation agonized over with the return of Nazism and overt racism, homophobia, transphobia and anti-Semitism, most of us arrived at the conclusion that combatting hatred and intolerance is in the DNA of almost every American, moreover it’s our duty to stand up to it; yet the President equivocated.
Our nation has examined our values, as survey after survey finds that increasingly we want to stand for equality, against hatred and for unity. Our military leaders, many Members of Congress and folks from every walk of life have spoken out for the rights of oppressed and marginalized communities, and for the values of acceptance and freedom. Still, the President stares into the brilliant gatherings of thousands of Americans in Charlottesville, Boston and across the country marching for freedom to eclipse bigotry and hatred, only to don the shades of exceptionalism and offer yet another distraction.”
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